The judgment was read by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Sir John Thomas and Lord Justice Leveson. They also dismissed five other challenges in burglary cases, but allowed three cases related to terms imposed for handling offences.

The challenges which were allowed include the case of Stephen Craven, 24, of Salford who sentenced was halved to six months for handling stolen goods.

Stephen Carter, 26, of James Street, Salford and David Beswick, 31, of Anon Street, Eccles, also had their sentences halved to eight months and nine months for theft by finding and for handling stolen goods respectively.